News in brief

On Wednesday, a £500,000 proposal was approved for the construction of a brand new library in South Norwood, expected to be completed by 2019.

The initiative comes as part of a mixed-use development on a vacant site in Station Road, replacing the currently inaccessible library on the junction of Selhurst Road and Lawrence Road. The new library will comprise of a more flexible space that would accommodate a larger working space and allow for out-of-hours use for community activities, such as adult learning classes.

Councillor Timothy Godfrey said: “At a time when many councils are finding their library services under threat I’m delighted to be able to announce an investment of this nature that will deliver on our promise to protect this valuable resource for future generations.”

The council is also drawing up alternative uses for the old building to maximise value for money until it is reoccupied.

A survey for residents is available to establish what they would want from the new library and to raise any concerns. The survey questionnaire is available both online and in hard copy from other local libraries.

Pic: Croydon Council

Free Gyms Help Push Healthy Lifestyles
By Xinni Long

The first of five new outdoor fitness gyms was installed by Croydon Council in New Adlington earlier this month.

Facilities include an exercise bike, cross trainer, rowing machine and strength straining equipment which can be used all year round.

Four other gyms are planned for Purley Way Playing Fields, Upper Norwood Recreation Ground, King George’s Field and Grangewood Park.

Mental health charity, the Matt Palmer Trust, is contributing £100,000 towards the costs of the project. The trust supports the mental well-being of men of all ages in the UK and Ireland and promotes sport as a way of improving male mental health.

Croydon man convicted of murder of mother of his child over child support money
By Holly Pyne

A Croydon man has pleaded guilty to stabbing the mother of his child after she asked him to pay child support for their daughter.

On 25 May, Mark Morris, 39, confronted his ex-partner, Emma Day, over her request for him to start paying Child Support Agency payments for their daughter. Morris stabbed Day following this altercation.

Earlier the same day, Day asked a friend to walk her home because Morris had previously been in the area. Morris approached them on their walk home after emerging from an alleyway.

Detective Inspector John Massey, of the Homocide and Major Crime Command, said: “This was a pre-meditated, brutal attack where Morris laid in wait for Emma so he could confront her. When the conversation did not go his way, he followed Emma, produced a large knife and stabbed her to death before fleeing the scene.”

Morris previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but this was not accepted by the court. He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 30 November.

Student hit by car in Hoxton as dangerous driving continues to rise in Hackney
By Anisha De

A seven-year-old boy was hit by a car on a zebra crossing outside St John the Baptist primary school in Hoxton on Tuesday morning.

The child, who attends the school, was crossing the road with his mother on Pitfield Street when he was hit and the car failed to stop. He suffered from bruises but suffered no major injuries.

In September, St John’s became the first school in Hackney to trial the Safer Schools scheme, banning parents and drivers from dropping off and picking up kids by car because of dangerous driving. The school has campaigned unsuccessfully for several years to obtain a lollipop person and general road safety reviews.

The area is infamous for drivers and cyclists who rarely stop for pedestrians, with a teacher from the school being knocked down only last year.

Pixabay pic: dimitrisvetsikas1969

Clapton Road pedestrian collision appeal
By Anisha De

Scotland Yard has appealed for witnesses to come forward after an 88-year-old man died from a lorry collision on Upper Clapton Road. Police from the area closed off the roads shortly after 10:40 am as an air ambulance was called upon to attend the victim.

The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and assisted the police with their enquiries but they are keen to identify a man who was driving possibly a seven-seat car at a nearby crossing at the time of the collision.

Any witnesses or anyone with information can call the police on 0208 597 4874, get in touch via Twitter @MetCC or you can give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Mock acid attack carried out in Hackney nightclub to get people to plan for the worst
By Sophia Ankel

A ‘mock’ acid attack was carried out at Cargo nightclub in Hackney yesterday to make people think about the emerging threat in London.

The planned horrific aftermath of an acid attack was demonstrated to about 150 people, including hospitality managers and club staff. Counter terrorism officer Neil Parham ran the simulation to address important steps to take in the case of an attack.

Some key pointers covered were the importance of using water on wounds and taking care when treating others’ wounds as acid cane easily spread via skin contact.

Deptford homeless charity’s volunteer programme launch
By Sophie Soar

Deptford-based homeless charity, the 999 Club, is launching open evenings next week for those interested in volunteering. The 999 Club Night Shelter will be opening on the 2 January 2018, which they hope to run for three ten-week seasons over the year. It provides a space for the homeless to sleep safely indoors between 8:00pm and 8:00am.

A spokesperson for the 999 Club said: “We are on the hunt for night shelter volunteers at the moment. Homelessness is really isolating and it’s really important to come along and treat people with respect and humanity. If people don’t want to give money, it’s a really good opportunity and fits around a day at work.”

The 999 Club open evenings for night shelter volunteers will run on November 29 and December 6, starting at 7:30pm. Email leon@999cub.org to request a place.

Meal at Night Shelter 999 Club. Pic: 999 Club

Resident blocked by Lewisham Councillors on social media
By Ugbad Elmi

A social media activist Carole Hope, who is fighting against the destruction of trees and habitats in Beckenham Place Park, was blocked by Councillor Sophie McGeevor after commenting on a twitter post. Allegedly, several other borough residents have been blocked on the social media platform Twitter.

Hope said: “You only have to look at Twitter to see Lewisham does not listen to residents.” She added residents believe it to be a vanity project to try and “change the landscape and sight lines”.

Hope saying she is also blocked by other Lewisham councillors including Councillor Rachel Onikosi when asked about a BBC Radio interview and the former CEO of Lewisham Council, Barry Quirk.

In December 2016, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Lewisham council £4.9m to redevelop the Beckenham Place Park, with this opportunity to improve the park came the closure of the golf course despite a petition signed by 8,000 people against this decision.

Lewisham Council has not replied to a request for comment.

Lewisham Park featured in latest Domino’s Ad
By Lucinda Diamond

Domino’s Pizza’s national advert “The Official Food of Squads” features Fordham Park in Lewisham. Released on September 27, the advert shows the park down the road from Goldsmiths, which is located close to Deptford Green School.

The latter’s sign can be seen in the background of the advert as the male youth ‘squad’ strut through the park with the signature pizza box in hand.

Fordham Park, Lewisham is featured in the latest Domino's advert. Pic: Domino's

White ribbons sported by Lewisham Councillors: What are they and why?
By Ella Milburn

At Wednesday’s Full Council meeting, Lewisham councillors wore white ribbons to show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

The ribbons represent the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, which falls each year on November 25.

Speaking about the importance of the campaign, Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock said: “Violence against women and girls is a very serious and continuing challenge in this borough, as it is across London.

“White Ribbon Day is our opportunity - particularly as men - to say: ‘This is wrong, we challenge this, and will go on doing that until we don't need to.’”

Lewisham council was awarded white ribbon status in March 2017 in recognition of its work tackling violence against women and girls.

East London Mosque launches archive facility with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
By Ellie Fry

East London Mosque in Whitechapel launched their new archives facility on Tuesday evening, hosted by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs was also in attendance to show his support.

East London Mosque holds significant collections documenting the history of the one of the UK’s oldest mosques. It is London’s oldest and largest, based in the heart of Tower Hamlets.

The new archive centre hopes to preserve and celebrate national heritage, Sadiq Khan said: “Great to launch the East London Mosque archives – this fantastic facility will ensure important records are preserved for generations to come.”